Although I've been following the various water threads I'm becoming ever more confused. Is there a simple answer to "What to use?" if you live in a hard water area. Minimum scaling and minimum corrosion? I've been using Ashbeck for years without problem. Just curious as to whether there is a better simple solution.

> @"Rob666"#p25939 I’ve been using Ashbeck for years without problem Why do you want to change something that works so well, unless you want to save some plastics for the environment? :-)

I bet the service boiler will be scaled after years of use with Ashbeck. The brew boiler/group should be fine, but I doubt the service boiler will be free of scale. I made the same decision back in the day, but back in the day I didn’t have the knowledge we have now. The simpler thing to do @"Rob666"#5 if RO or DI water remineralised with sodium bicarbonate at 80mg/L. Sodium bicarbonate won’t scale.

And isn't Lockhills better than Ashbeck? I know the standard response is to use RO water but not everyone has the space/money/time to deal with them. Bottled water might not be the ideal solution but "good enough" will be fine for a lot of people.

> @"Dusk"#p25959 not everyone has the space/money/time to deal with them. Fair point. It all depends on the number of bottles a week, the associated costs, the routine followed to minimise the scaling risks and the individual’s view on the environment *VS* the Zero water for an instance. :-)

What is wrong with the odd descale?😂

@"Dusk"#p25959 - well, there’s a simple test to make: draw 400ml of water from your service boiler. Measure the TDS. Then you’ll have some indication of what’s inside. When I measure they on the Elizabeth, I know there’s only sodium bicarbonate. So the TDS is of sodium bicarbonate only. When you use bottled water like that, you have calcium, magnesium, fluoride, potassium, etc, etc. Now a thought: 2L of Ashbeck : 60p - 40L of Ashbeck: £12.00 1 ZeroWater filter, which can produce 40L of pure water if your water is very hard: £19.99. If your water is moderate hard, it will be able to produce more. The jug costs £29.99, and includes 1 filter, so the jug as such costs £10. 200g of sodium bicarbonate which will last you a life time and allow you to pass on to future generations: £1.50. You can get cheaper deals with the ZeroWater filter if you buy packs of 5. Same if you buy Ashbeck in 5L bottles or packs. So it’s not so complicated after all. A ZeroWater jug will take the same space as two 2L bottles of Ashbeck. Advantages are that you’ll know what’s inside your coffee machine, avoid scaling and worries, and save on plastic wastege. Food for thought.

I think many years ago, the general consensus of opinion was that it is easier to regulate what goes into your machine that deal with the problems it causes. Since retirement, this is what I have done since I no longer buy and sell equipment and it makes sense. I settled for an Osmio Zero. There was no competition. I like simple things and the Zero is just that. I put tap water in, get RO out. Once a month I clean the water container and when it tells me to change the filters. The initial cost is the initial cost so after that, it is about the cost of changing filters annually. I cannot remember how much they are now........till I looked. £57.50 for a complete set of filters or if you have a friend, club together and buy 4 for £45......bargain! https://www.osmiowater.co.uk/osmio-zero-ip-ii-portable-reverse-osmosis-replacement-filters-pack.html

@"MediumRoastSteam"#p25956 It's a heat exchanger so only one boiler. Pretty sure that's why all is still well after five years.

@"Rob666"#p25969 - maybe. 😉😊👍 On a side note, I had the impression you had a Vesuvius. 🤷♂️

Thanks all, for the comments. Ashbeck is still cheaper than either Zerowater or Osmio. (No-one has mentioned Skuma.) As for environmental impact, both the alternatives use disposable filters so do produce some waste and Osmio requires electricity to work and produces waste water. On balance I'm no more bothered about the 5L plastic bottles, which get recycled, than I am about the others. When/if I change to a dual boiler machine I'll revisit the question. For now, I think I'll stick with the devil I know.

Water confusion

Rob666

DavecUK When he gets back from his holidays, we’ll see… ;)

DavecUK

Rob666 When he gets back from his holidays, we’ll see… ;)

Giphy - episode 17 GIF

Doram

Rob666 When/if I change to a dual boiler machine I’ll revisit the question. For now, I think I’ll stick with the devil I know.

You are not alone. ;-)

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